Tally device



M. BRISTOL TALLY DEVICE June 5, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 6, 1948 INVENTOR. MARGARET BRISTOL June 5, 1951 BRISTOL TALLY DEVICE Filed March 6, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MAR GARE 1 Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TALLY DEVICE Margaret Bristol, New York, N. Y.

Application March 6, 1948, Serial No. 13,400

Claims. I

This invention relates to a knit kit.

More specifically, the invention proposes the construction of a knit kit which is a utility kit having recording apparatus for keeping an accurate count of the rows knitted in following a pattern or design and which also contains all the necessary articles for hand knitting as well as a space in which the article being knitted may be stored when not being worked upon and for convenient carrying about.

A further object of this invention proposes the construction of a recording apparatus for the interior of the knit kit which in addition to keeping an accurate count of the rows knitted, also clearly indicates the type of stitch to be made in a particular row.

' Still further the present invention proposes the construction of a knit kit in the form of a case having a hollow bottom and a hollow hinged cover, the bottom being constructed to contain the recording apparatus, space for a ball of yarn being worked and cells for the knitting apparatus and the article being knitted while the hinged cover has a space for pattern books together with a suitable means for retaining the books in position, and space for additional knitting apparatus and additional yarn.

Another object is to provide a knit kit as aforesaid in which the counter compartment is covered by a transparent plastic plate having individual transparent plastic leaves extending longitudinally over each row of counters, each leaf being held at its free end by a latch which is designed to hold the leaf tightly against the top of the counters to retain the counters against accidental movement, the purpose of the plastic plate being to prevent accidental movement of the wrong counter, as by brushing with a coat sleeve inadvertently, while still leaving the counters visible. 7

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a ma terial part of this disclosure:

Fig.1 is a perspective view of a rectangular knit kit constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the kit of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the kit with the cover in open position.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the stitch indicating members.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a stitch indicating member constructed in accordance with a modification of this invention.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a circular knit kit.

The knit kit constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a case l0 formed of a bottom II and a hollow cover [2 hinged thereto. 1-3. It is contemplated that a suitable size for such a case would be fifteen inches long by thirteen inches Wide by four inches high. The cover is about half as deep as the bottom II. The top wall ll! of the cover and the bottom wall M of the bottom ll may be made of Masonite. The four side walls of the cover l2 and the four side walls of the bottom H may be made of wood with mortis and tenon joints at the.

corners. The case may be covered, exteriorly, by attractive leatherette or fabricoid of any desired color, and may be lined interiorly with a gay chintz or matching rayon.

Two locks l5 secure the cover l2 to the bottom II when the case is closed. The bottom II is provided with a handle H5 at its side remote from its hinges. The bottom II is partitioned by a longitudinal wall I! into a large cell [8 and a smaller cell I9. The smaller cell 19 is partitioned by a transverse wall 20 into a small square compartment 2! and into a long compartment 22. Wall I1 is mortised into the side' walls of the bottom II and wall 20 is mortised into the wall I1 and into the front wall of the bottom ll.

Compartment 2| has a chintz covered hinged top 23 in which is a central hole 24. Compartment 2| is for containing a ball or balls of yarn. The yarn will feed through the hole 24 as it is being used. The compartment 22 is for containing various knitting implements. It is shown containing bodkins 26, a darning needle 21, a

ruler 28, scissors 29, a crochet hook 30 and stitch holders 3!. These are held in place by loops of fabricoid or elastic 32.

Compartment I8 contains twelve transverse- A rectangular case is shown in Figs A plurality of circular discs or counters 34 are mounted on each rod. The drawing illustrates six discs or counters 34 on each rod,

but it is pointed out that any desired number of discs or counters, as many as twelve, could be mounted on each rod. The discs are in rows of different colors or shades of colors and are preferably made of plastic. They have central holes 35 by means of which they are mounted on the rods. The discs or counters 34 have a friction fit on the rods 33 so that when the counters are moved on the rods, they remain in the position to which they were moved.

The cover i2, is, as aforesaid, hollow. Two parallel walls 36 partition the cover transversely into a narrow right cell 31, a narrow left cell 38 and a large middle compartment 39, the walls 35 being parallel to the side walls of the cover. Walls 36 are mortised into the front and rear walls of the cover. The compartment 39 contains several books. The walls 36 each has two spaced recesses 4 in each of which is pivotally connected a tab 4|. the walls 36 and will stay in any position to which they are swung. Their active position for retaining the books in the compartment 39 is indicated in Fig. 3 in dot-dash lines.

Cells 31 and 38 are provided with other holders 32. The holder 32 of cell 31 retains two sets of sock knitting needles 42 while the holder 32 of cell 38 retains four sets of knitting needles 43 for general use.

The counter compartment is completely covered by a plastic transparent plate 44. This plate is mortised into the rear wall of the compartment, the joint at the rear wall being clearly shown in Fig. 4. The plate is cut by transverse slits to provide twelve fingers 45, one over each row of counters. These fingers can hinge about their integral connection with the part of the plate mortised into the rear wall as aforesaid. The free end of each finger is secured to the wall H by a small spring latch 46. When the finger is latched in place, it engages the tops of the counters sufficiently to prevent, by augmenting the frictional contact of the counters on their rods, any inadvertent movement such as might occur when a coat sleeve brushes one counter when another is being moved. The knitter lifts only the finger over the counter which she wishes to move, and the other counters are protected while still being visible.

Stitch indicating members 50 are provided for use in connection with the rows of counters for indicating the type of stitch to be made in each row. The stitch indicating members 5!) include top portions 5! preferably made of plastic material, wood or other similar material and clip portions 52 integrally connected with the top portions 5| and preferably constructed of spring steel or other flexible material. The top portions 5| are provided with identifying letters, such as the letter K shown in Fig. 6. The kit is provided with av plurality of these stitch indicating members 50 and each carries a different letter. For example, one group of members will have the letter K (as shown) to indicate a knit stitch, another group of members 50 will have the letter "1 to indicate a purl stitch, and so on, there being a group of members 50 having the appropriate letter or letters to indicate each type of knitting stitch.

The clip portions 52 f the stitch indicating members 56 are adapted to be extended through openings 53 (see Fig. formed in the transparent plastic plate 44 to be engaged over retaining blocks 54 fixedly mounted on the rods 33 beneath the openings 53 and behind the end-most disc The tabs have frictional contact with g J and two walls 20a.

or counter 34 on the particular rod. The construction is such that with the clip portions 52 in position on the retaining blocks 54, the top portions 5| extend above the top face of the transparent plate 44 so that the letter thereon is plainly visible without the necessity of lifting any of the finger portions of the plate 44. The construction also permits the stitch indicating members to be conveniently interchanged when desired.

In Fig. '7 of the drawing, a modified type of stitch indicating member 60 is illustrated which differs from the previous member in that the member 60 is formed entirely of plastic material or other similar flexible material. The member 50 has a top portion BI and an integral clip portion 62 and the top portion is formed with the stitch indicating letter 63. The stitch indicating letter 53 of the member or the letter 63 of the member may be formed by printing, painting, embossing or in any other similar manner.

A round knit kit is shown in Fig. 8. It differs from the knit kit of Figs. 1-3 essentially only in its shape. The case bottom H has two walls Ila Parts which correspond to like parts of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3 are indicated by like references with the suffix a added. No further description thereof is deemed necessary.

Each of the rows of counters 34 is, as aforesaid, in both embodiments of the invention, of a different color, and these rows of counters are used for counting purposes to keep tally as the knitting proceeds. The person doing the knitting is also able to keep track of different stitches in each row of knitting in a desired pattern by arranging the stitch indicating members according to the pattern desired. The counters 34 enable the knitter to keep track of the rows and/or stitches already knitted without the use of a pencil and paper, the use of which requires laying down and interrupting the knitting, which interruption is liable to lead to mistake. These counters are placed low enough in the kit, as shown, so that the knitting may be placed on top of the counters when it is desired to store the knitting away.

The inner surfaces of the case, including cells, compartments, walls and covers, are all lined with the same design of chintz or other suitable cloth. The advantages of the knit kit are its convenience, its neatness and attractiveness, the accuracy which it provides, the avoidance of making notes with paper and pencil while knitting, and the inclusion of all articles needed in one kit.

The case is preferably made with plywood sides and partitions, but any other suitable materials may be used here if desired. The cover swings to a fully open position and may be supported in r a desired open position so that its entire inner surface is accessible to the knitter, whereby the knitter can use the counters, and follow the instruction book at the same time. The knit kits illustrated in the drawings are by way of illustration only and the cases, counters and stitch indicating members may be varied in size and shape as desired.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I s I claim as new, and desire to secure by Unitedstates Letters Patent is:

1. In a knit kit, a body having an open topped chamber,'a plurality of rods mounted within said chamber between opposed walls thereof and extended parallel to each other, a plurality of counters slidably mounted on each of said rods, each of said counters being formed with a central bore through which the respective rod extends and being of a diameter so that the material of each counter defining, said bore frictionally grips the respective rod's to frictionally retain said counters in desired shifted positions 'on said rods, and auxiliary means for assisting said frictional mounting of said counters on said rods in retaining said counters in a desired shifted position on said rods, said auxiliary means comprising a transparent flexible plate positioned within said chamber and mounted along one edge on one of said opposed walls and having its opposite edge spaced from the other of said opposed walls, said plate being mounted within said chamber at a level so that its bottom face frictionally bears against the top face of said counters, said plate being formed with a plurality of slits extended from its said opposite edge toward but not through its said'one edge, said slits being extended parallel to said rods with one slit between each adjacent pair of rods forming a plurality of fingers each bearing against the top portions of the counters on one of said rods and having a free end adjacent the said other wall by which the fingers can be individually flexed upward freeing said counters to be slid along the length of said rods.

2. In a knit kit, a body having an open topped chamber, a plurality of rods mounted within said chamber between opposed walls thereof and extended parallel to each other, a plurality of counters slidably mounted on each of said rods, each of said counters being formed with a central bore through which the respective rod extends and being of a diameter so that the material of each counter defining said bore frictionally grips the respective rods to frictionally retain said counters in desired shifted positions on said rods, and auxiliary means for assisting said frictional mounting of said counters on said rods in retaining said counters in a desired shifted position on said rods, said auxiliary means comprising a transparent flexible plate positioned within said chamber and mounted along one edge on one of said opposed walls and having its opposite edge spaced from the other of said opposed walls, said plate being mounted within said chamber at a level so that its bottom face frictionally bears against the top face of said counters, said plate being formed with a plurality of slits extended from its said opposite edge toward but not through its said one edge, said slits being extended parallel to said rods with one slit between each adjacent pair of rods forming a plurality of fingers each bearing against the top portions of the counters on one of said rods and having a free end adjacent the said other wall by which the fingers can be individually flexed upward freeing said counters to he slid along the length of said rods, and latch means for holding down the free ends of each of said fingers.

3. In a knit kit, a body having an open topped chamber, a plurality of rods mounted within said chamber between opposed walls thereof and extended parallel to each other, a pluralit of counters slidably mounted on each of said rods, each of said counters being formed with a central bore 6 r through which the respective rod'extends and being of a diameter so'that the material of each counter defining said bore frictionally grips the respective rods to frictionally retain said counters in desired shifted positions on said rods, and auxiliary means for assisting said frictional mounting of said counters on said rods in retaining said counters in a desired shifted position on said rods, said auxiliary means comprising a transparent flexible plate positioned within said chamber and mounted along one edge on one of said opposed walls and having its opposite edge spaced from the other of said opposed walls, said plate being mounted within said chamber at a level so that'its bottom face frictionally bears against the top face of said counters, said plate being formed with a plurality of slits extended from its said opposite edge toward but not through its said one edge, said slits being extended parallel to said rods with one slit between each adjacent pair of rods forming a plurality of fingers each bearing against the top portions of the counters on one of said rods and having a free end adjacent the said other wall by which the fingers can be individually flexed upward freein said counters to be slid along the length of said rods, spring latches mounted on the said other wall, one for each of said fingers, and engaged by the free ends of said fingers for holding down the free ends of said fingers.

4. In a knit kit, a body having an open topped chamber, a plurality of rods mounted within said chamber between opposed walls thereof and extended parallel to each other, a plurality of counters slidably mounted on each of said rods, each of said counters being formed with a central bore through which the respective rod extends and being of a diameter so that the material of each counter defining said bore frictionally grips the respective rods to frictionally retain said counters in desired shifted positions on said rods, and auxiliary means for assisting said frictional mounting of said counters on said rods in retaining said counters in a desired shifted position on said rods, said auxiliary means comprising a transparent flexible plate positioned within said chamber and mounted along one edge on one of said opposed walls and having its opposite edge spaced from the other of said opposed walls, said plate being mounted within said chamber at a level so that its bottom face frictionally bears against the top face of said counters, said plate being formed with a plurality of slits extended from its said opposite edge toward but not through its said one edge, said slits being extended parallel to said rods with one slit between each adjacent pair of rods forming a plurality of fingers each bearing against the top portions of the counters on one of said rods and having a free end adjacent the said other wall by which the fingers can be individually flexed upward freeing said counters to be slid along the length of said rods, a retaining block mounted on each of said rods on the end thereof adjacent the mounted edge of said plate, said plate being formed with an opening aligned with each of said retaining blocks, and stitch indicating members extendable through said openings for engagement on said retaining blocks.

5. In a knit kit, a body having an open topped chamber, a plurality of rods mounted within said chamber between opposed walls thereof and extended parallel to each other, a plurality of counters slidably mounted on each of said rods, each of said counters being formed with a central bore asst-par 7 through which the respective rod extends and being of a diameter so that the material of each counter defining said bore frictionally grips the respective rods to frictionally retain said counters in desired shifted positions on said rods, and auxiliary means for assisting said frictional mounting of said counters on said rods in retaining said counters in a desired shifted position on said rods, said auxiliary means comprising a transparent flexible plate positioned within said chamber and mounted along one edge on one of said opposed walls and having its opposite. edge spaced from the other of said opposed walls, said plate being mounted within said chamber at a level so that its bottom face frictionally bears against the top face of said counters, said plate being formed with a plurality of slits extended from its said opposite edge toward but not through itssaid one edge, said slits being extended parallel to said rods with one slit between each adjacent pair of rods forming a plurality of fingers each bearing against the top portions of the counters on one of said rods and having a free and adjacent the said other wall by which the fingers can be individually flexed upward freeing said counters to be slid along the length of said rods, a retaining block mounted on each of said rods on the end thereof adjacent the mounted edge of said plate, said plate being formed with 8. an opening aligned with each of said retaining blocks, and stitch indicating members extendable through said openings for engagement on said retaining blocks, each of said stitch indicating members having a portion projected above the top face of said plate when mounted on said retaining blocks, and indicia on the portions 01' said members which project above the top face of said plate for indicating stitch types.

MARGARET BRISTOL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

